Closure chuck

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a closure chuck usable with a capping machine for mounting an insertion closure on a possibly misaligned flange around an opening in a container. In the preferred embodiment, the closure chuck has an upper chuck portion attachable to the capping machine, a lower chuck portion for holding the insertion closure, a connecting assembly connecting the lower chuck portion to the upper chuck portion in a spaced apart relationship, and resilient means. The connecting assembly transmits axially directed force from the upper chuck portion to the lower chuck portion, and allows rocking movement of the lower chuck portion relative to the upper chuck portion to properly align the insertion closure with the flange. The resilient means biases the lower chuck portion to a neutral position in which the lower chuck portion is aligned with the upper chuck portion.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to closure chucks and, more particularly, a closure chuck for mounting an insertion closure on a possibly misaligned flange around an opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Closure chucks are known which can be used with a capping machine to install a closure into an opening in a surface of a container. During installation, the closure is attached to an edge, or a flange, defining the opening in a container. If the closure is of the type known as an insertion closure, the edge is receivable in the closure in a friction fit, but other methods of attachment have been used. For certain types of containers, however, when the container is in position under the closure chuck, the edge around the opening is frequently misaligned with the closure chuck, resulting in improper installation of the closure into the opening. The misalignment can be due to unevenness in the top surface of the container.

[0003] Closure chucks are also known which are adapted to adjust a lower part thereof to align with a misaligned edge. Such known closure chucks, for one reason or another, have not been commercially successful.

[0004] There is therefore a continuing need for a closure chuck for mounting an insertion closure on a possibly misaligned flange around an opening.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In a broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a closure chuck usable with a capping machine for mounting an insertion closure on a possibly misaligned flange around an opening in a container. In the preferred embodiment, the closure chuck has an upper chuck portion attachable to the capping machine, a lower chuck portion for holding the insertion closure, a connecting assembly connecting the lower chuck portion to the upper chuck portion in a spaced apart relationship, and resilient means. The lower chuck portion is operable to release the insertion closure after the insertion closure has been mounted on the flange. In addition, the connecting assembly transmits axially directed force from the upper chuck portion to the lower chuck portion, and allows rocking movement of the lower chuck portion relative to the upper chuck portion to properly align the insertion closure with the flange. Finally, the resilient means biases the lower chuck portion to a neutral position in which the lower chuck portion is aligned with the upper chuck portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The invention will be better understood with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0007]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of a closure chuck, showing the closure chuck in position to receive an insertion closure;

[0008]FIG. 2 is a top view of the closure chuck of FIG. 1;

[0009]FIG. 3 is a section view of the closure chuck of FIG. 1 holding the insertion closure, taken along line 3-3;

[0010]FIG. 4 is a section view of the closure chuck of FIG. 1 holding the insertion closure and positioned above an idealized container partially shown in cross-section, the idealized container having a top surface, an opening in the top surface, and a flange formed in the top surface and positioned around the opening;

[0011]FIG. 5 is a section view of the closure chuck of FIG. 4 positioned on the container of FIG. 3, with the insertion closure mounted on the flange around the opening of the container;

[0012]FIG. 6 is a section view of the closure chuck of FIG. 1 positioned above a typical container partially shown in cross-section having an uneven top surface, an opening in the uneven top surface, and a flange formed in the uneven top surface and positioned around the opening;

[0013]FIG. 7 is a section view of the closure chuck of FIG. 6 positioned on the container of FIG. 6, with the insertion closure mounted on the flange around the opening of the container; and

[0014]FIG. 8 is a partial section view of the container of FIG. 6, with the insertion closure mounted on the flange, and a section view of the closure chuck after release of the insertion closure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0015] Reference is first made to FIGS. 1-3 to describe the preferred embodiment of a closure chuck indicated generally by the numeral 20 in accordance with the invention. The closure chuck 20 is usable with a capping machine 22, part of which is shown in chain-dotted outline in FIGS. 1 and 3. The closure chuck 20 has an upper chuck portion 24 which is attachable to the capping machine 22, a lower chuck portion 26 for holding an insertion closure 28, and a connecting assembly 30 connecting the lower chuck portion 26 to the upper chuck portion 24. The closure chuck 20 also includes a resilient means, preferably comprising a plurality of springs 32 and a resilient annulus assembly 33, as shown in FIG. 3. As will be described, the springs 32 and the resilient annulus assembly 33 bias the lower chuck portion 26 to a neutral position in which the lower chuck portion 26 is aligned with the upper chuck portion 24, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0016] As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper chuck portion 24 is preferably oriented 20 about an upper chuck portion axis 34. The lower chuck portion 26 is also oriented about a lower chuck portion axis 36. When the lower chuck portion 26 is in the neutral position, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper chuck portion axis 34 and the lower chuck portion axis 36 are aligned.

[0017] The use of the closure chuck 20 in installing the insertion closure 28 on an idealized container 38 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The container 38 is described as idealized because, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the container 3 8 has a top surface 40 which is shown in a substantially horizontal position, when the container 38 is positioned for use with the closure chuck 20. The top surface 40 has an opening 42 therein, and a flange 44 is positioned around the opening 42. The container 38 also includes substantially vertical sides 46, 48 and a handle 50. As will be described, the idealized container 38 is atypical because its top surface 40 is substantially orthogonal to the sides 46, 48 of the container 38. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the idealized container 38 is positioned for use with the closure chuck 20, the container 38 is disposed on a base (not shown) which holds the container 38 so that the sides 46, 48 of the container 38 are in a substantially vertical position. Accordingly, and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the top surface 40 of the idealized container 38 is positioned substantially horizontally when the container 38 is positioned for use with the closure chuck 20.

[0018] As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the opening 42 in the top surface 40 of the idealized container 38 and the flange 44 about the opening 42 are oriented about an opening axis 52. Because the top surface 40 is in a substantially horizontal position, the opening axis 52 is substantially vertical. As can also be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the insertion closure 28 includes a groove 54 into which the flange 44 is receivable in a friction fit. The insertion closure 28 is mounted on the flange 44 when the flange 44 has been received in the groove 54 in a friction fit.

[0019] In addition to holding the insertion closure 28, the lower chuck portion 26 is also operable to release the insertion closure 28 after the insertion closure has been mounted on the flange 44.

[0020] As will be described, the connecting assembly 30 connects the lower chuck portion 26 to the upper chuck portion 24 in a spaced apart relationship. The connecting assembly 30 transmits axially directed force, i.e., force or pressure directed substantially vertically downwardly, from the upper chuck portion 24 to the lower chuck portion 26. The connecting assembly 30 also permits rocking movement of the lower chuck portion 26 relative to the upper chuck portion 24 to properly align the insertion closure with a misaligned flange, as will be described.

[0021] In use, the closure chuck 20 is lowered onto the insertion closure 28, as shown in FIG. 1, and the insertion closure 28 is received and held by the lower portion 26. The closure chuck 20 is then positioned above the opening 42. To mount the insertion closure 28 on the flange 44, the upper chuck portion axis 34 is aligned with the opening axis 52. As shown in FIG. 4, when the closure chuck 20 is positioned above the flange 44 but the insertion closure 28 is not in contact with the flange 44, the upper chuck portion axis 34 and the lower chuck portion axis 36 are aligned, due to the springs 32 and the resilient annulus assembly 33, as will be described. Accordingly, when the upper chuck portion axis 34 is aligned with the opening axis 52, the lower chuck portion axis 36 is also aligned with the opening axis 52. The closure chuck 20 is lowered toward the idealized container 38 until the insertion closure 28 contacts the flange 44. The capping machine 22 provides pressure axially directed to the upper chuck portion 24. The connecting assembly 30 transmits the axially directed force from the upper chuck portion 24 onto the lower chuck portion 26, thus pressing the insertion closure 28 onto the flange 44 until the flange 44 is received in the groove 54 in a friction fit.

[0022] It will be observed that, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when there is proper alignment of the lower chuck portion axis 36 with the opening axis 52, pressure is directed axially to press the insertion closure 28 onto the flange 44, to result in the groove 54 properly receiving the flange 44 in a friction fit. The insertion closure 28 is mounted on the flange 44 when the flange 44 is received in the groove 54 in a friction fit.

[0023] As noted above, the container 34 is idealized, and is atypical. FIGS. 6-8 show a typical container 56, in which a top surface 58 is not positioned substantially orthogonal to the sides 60, 62. In general, the top surface 58 is uneven. The top surface 58 includes an opening 64, and a flange 66 is disposed around the opening 64. The container 56 also includes a handle 65. As can be seen in FIG. 6, because the top surface 58 is uneven, one side 68 of the flange 66 is higher than another side 70. The extent to which the top surfaces 58 of typical containers 56 are uneven, and vary in unevenness, varies considerably from one container 56 to the next. Also, the unevenness of the top surface 58 can vary in response to pressure exerted on the flange 66 through the insertion closure 28 during mounting. Furthermore, in addition to typical containers 56, the closure chuck 20 also is used with containers very similar to the idealized container 38. The flange in a container therefore is possibly misaligned with the closure chuck 20 prior to contact of the insertion closure 28 with the flange 44 or the flange 66, as the case may be, or while such contact is made.

[0024] As can be seen in FIG. 6, the opening 64 and the flange 66 are oriented about an opening axis 72. The opening axis 72 is not positioned substantially vertically, but rather, the opening axis 72 is positioned so that it deviates significantly from the vertical. Accordingly, and as will be described, the opening axis 72 is misaligned with the upper chuck portion axis 34.

[0025] In use, after the insertion closure 28 is received and held in the lower chuck portion 26, the upper chuck portion axis 34 is aligned with the centre of the opening 64. As can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the closure chuck 20 is lowered toward the container 56 until the insertion closure 28 contacts the flange 66. The capping machine 22 provides pressure axially directed to the upper chuck portion 24. The connecting assembly 30 transmits the axially directed force from the upper chuck portion 24 onto the lower chuck portion 26, and the lower chuck portion 26 moves relative to the upper chuck portion 24 so that the lower chuck portion axis 36 is aligned with the opening axis 72, while the upper chuck portion axis 34 remains substantially vertical. This movement of the lower chuck portion 26 relative to the upper chuck portion 24 involves a rocking motion when the lower chuck portion 26 responds to variations in the unevenness of the top surface 58. The alignment of the lower chuck portion axis 36 with the opening axis 72 allows pressure to be axially transmitted by the closure chuck 20 onto the insertion closure 28 as the insertion closure 28 is positioned on the flange 66, pressing the insertion closure 28 onto the flange 66 until the flange 66 is properly received in the groove 54, and the insertion closure 28 is mounted on the flange 66.

[0026] After the insertion closure 28 is mounted on the flange 66, the closure chuck 20 is retracted upwardly, away from the container 56. As can be seen in FIG. 8, after the insertion closure 28 is mounted on the flange 56 and the closure chuck 20 is retracted, the springs 32 and the resilient annulus assembly 33 cause the lower chuck portion 26 to be aligned with the upper chuck portion 24, so that the lower chuck portion 26 is returned to the neutral position, and the closure chuck 20 can proceed to pick up another insertion closure 28, and repeat the cycle.

[0027] In the preferred embodiment, the lower chuck portion 26 is rotatable about the lower chuck portion axis 36 relative to the upper chuck portion 24. This permits rotational movement of the lower chuck portion 26 relative to the upper chuck portion 24 in response to various twisting or torque forces exerted primarily upon the lower chuck portion 26 when the insertion closure 28 is mounted on the flange 66, and when the insertion closure 28 is released from the lower chuck portion 26.

[0028] As can be seen in FIGS. 3-8, the upper chuck portion 24 includes a smooth annulus 74 forming a lower surface 75 of the upper chuck portion 24, for allowing the lower chuck portion 26 to rotate relative to the upper chuck portion 24. Preferably, the tops 76 of the springs 32 are in contact with the lower surface 75, i.e., the smooth annulus 74. Also, the smooth annulus 74 preferably comprises a relatively smooth and durable material, such as Teflon™.

[0029] As can also be seen in FIGS. 3-8, the connecting assembly 30 preferably includes a shoulder bolt 78 having an upper end 80 and a lower end 82. The upper end 80 is retained in the upper chuck portion 24, the upper end 80 preferably being threadably received in an upper retaining means 84. It is also preferred that the lower end 82 is retained in a central bearing assembly 86 positioned in the lower chuck portion 26, as shown in FIG. 8.

[0030] In the preferred embodiment, the upper chuck portion 24 also includes the resilient annulus assembly 33 positioned around the shoulder bolt 78 to bias the shoulder bolt 78 to a rest position in which the shoulder bolt 78 is coaxial with the upper chuck portion 24 and the lower chuck portion 26, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 8. As shown in FIG. 8, the resilient annulus assembly 33 includes a plurality of ball bearings 88 retained in place by an upper resilient O-ring 90 and a lower resilient O-ring 91.

[0031] When the closure chuck 20 is retracted, as shown in FIG. 8, the springs 32 serve to bring a top surface 92 of the lower chuck portion 26 to a substantially horizontal position, so that the top surface 92 is substantially parallel with the lower surface 75 of the upper chuck portion 24, and the resilient annulus assembly 33 simultaneously returns the shoulder bolt 78 to the rest position, in which the shoulder bolt 78 is coaxial with the upper chuck portion 24 and the lower chuck portion 26. The O-rings 90, 91 urge the shoulder bolt 78 to the rest position by urging the ball bearings 88 to press upon the shoulder bolt 78, which in turn urge the shoulder bolt 78 to the rest position. As can be seen in FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 8, when the shoulder bolt 78 is in the rest position, the lower chuck portion 26 is in the neutral position.

[0032] In the preferred embodiment, the lower chuck portion 26 further includes a closure insert 94 attached to the lower chuck portion 26 at a bottom end 96 of the lower chuck portion 26. The closure insert 94 is operable to receive and hold the insertion closure 28. The closure insert 94 is also operable to release the insertion closure 28 after the insertion closure 28 has been mounted on the flange 44, or the flange 66, as the case may be. Various constructions of insertion closures 28 are known, and a different closure insert 94 can be used accordingly for various types of insertion closures 28 in the lower chuck portion 26. Accordingly, the lower chuck portion 26 preferably is adapted for use with different closure inserts 94 for different types of insertion closures 28.

[0033] It will be evident to those skilled in the art that the invention can take many forms, and that such forms are within the scope of the invention as claimed. 

We claim:
 1. A closure chuck usable with a capping machine for mounting an insertion closure on a possibly misaligned flange around an opening in a container, the closure chuck having: (a) an upper chuck portion attachable to the capping machine; (b) a lower chuck portion for holding the insertion closure, and operable to release the insertion closure after the insertion closure has been mounted on the flange; (c) a connecting assembly connecting the lower chuck portion to the upper chuck portion in a spaced apart relationship for transmitting axially directed force from the upper chuck portion to the lower chuck portion, the connecting assembly allowing rocking movement of the lower chuck portion relative to the upper chuck portion to properly align the insertion closure with the flange; and (d) resilient means to bias the lower chuck portion to a neutral position in which the lower chuck portion is aligned with the upper chuck portion.
 2. A closure chuck according to claim 1 wherein the lower chuck portion is rotatable about a lower chuck portion axis relative to the upper chuck portion.
 3. A closure chuck according to claim 1 in which the resilient means includes a plurality of springs circumferentially disposed in the lower chuck portion and extending from the lower chuck portion towards the upper chuck portion, and contacting a lower surface of the upper chuck portion.
 4. A closure chuck according to claim 3 in which the upper chuck portion includes a smooth annulus forming the lower surface of the upper chuck portion, for allowing the lower chuck portion to rotate relative to the upper chuck portion.
 5. A closure chuck according to claim 4 wherein the connecting assembly includes a shoulder bolt having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end being retained in the upper chuck portion and the lower end being retained in a central bearing assembly positioned in the lower chuck portion.
 6. A closure chuck according to claim 5 in which the resilient means further includes a resilient annulus assembly positioned in the upper chuck portion around the shoulder bolt to bias the shoulder bolt to a rest position in which the shoulder bolt is coaxial with the lower chuck portion.
 7. A closure chuck according to claim 1 in which the lower chuck portion includes a closure insert attached to the lower chuck portion at a bottom end of the lower chuck portion, the closure insert being operable to receive and hold the insertion closure, and operable to release the insertion closure after the insertion closure has been mounted on the flange.
 8. A closure chuck usable with a capping machine for mounting an insertion closure on a possibly misaligned flange disposed around an opening in a container, the insertion closure having a groove for receiving the flange in a friction fit, the closure chuck having: (a) an upper chuck portion attachable to the capping machine; (b) a lower chuck portion for holding the insertion closure, and operable to release the insertion closure after the insertion closure has been mounted on the flange; (c) a connecting assembly connecting the lower chuck portion to the upper chuck portion in a spaced apart relationship for transmitting axially directed force from the upper chuck portion to the lower chuck portion, the connecting assembly allowing rocking movement of the lower chuck portion relative to the upper chuck portion to align a lower chuck portion axis of the lower chuck portion with an opening axis of the opening such that the flange is received in the groove in the insertion closure in a friction fit and the insertion closure is mounted on the flange; and (d) resilient means to bias the lower chuck portion to a neutral position in which the lower chuck portion axis is aligned with an upper chuck portion axis of the upper chuck portion. 